Undercover prostitution sting nets more than 50 arrests

An undercover prostitution sting by Edmonton police has led to more than 50 arrests, and more than two dozen vehicles seized.

During the week of August 12, police arrested 30 men, 25 women and one transgendered person in the operation, charging all with communicating with the purposes of prostitution.

Sex workers were given the chance to take the city’s Snug program, which offers services including addiction treatment and counselling, in exchange for having the charges dropped -- 18 accepted the offer, as well as another woman who had not been arrested.

Men were offered enrollment in the police service’s "John School."

During the sting, officers also handed out other charges, including drug trafficking, living off the proceeds of a crime and breach of conditions. In total, 64 charges were laid by the operation.